”Alice, how dare you ask me what’s wrong? You’ve truly disappointed me!”Charlotte wasted no time in accusing Alice, but Alice was not one to be trifled with either. She hung up the phone right away.Hearing the dial tone on the other end, Charlotte paused for a moment before hastily redialing the number, but there was no answer. She called again, refusing to give up until Alice finally picked up the phone.“Charlotte, I’m warning you. Our relationship is purely business. I’m not one of your subordinates.“Put away that princess attitude of yours. I’ve done what you asked me to do.”Alice did not spare Charlotte any face, and it was only then did Charlotte realize the true nature of her so-called friend.She quickly dropped her princess facade and resorted to her cute act to appease Alice.“I’m sorry, Alice. I was being too hasty this time. I’ll be more mindful of my attitude in the future.“Alice, you need to change your tactics! That woman isn’t dead!” After admitting her mis
”Don’t worry,” Alice responded simply.Just before Charlotte ended the call, Alice seemed to have lingering thoughts about this, so she added, “You’ve been raised under the care of the king and queen for so many years. "Their affection for you must be deeper than for that outsider. The queen may have given birth to her, but how could she compare to you? Why bother…”Before Alice could finish speaking, Charlotte interrupted her without hesitation, “What do you know? Even the assassin is feeling sorry for their target now, huh? Just focus on doing your job.”With that, Charlotte promptly hung up the phone, leaving Alice to chuckle and shake her head.What was there for her to feel sorry for? Even if Juliana did not give birth to Charlotte, the fact that she was raised by them outweighed all else. However, some people just could not distinguish the difference.Alice gently swirled the wine glass in her hand before bringing it to her mouth, downing it all in one go.Meanwhile, Char
Juliana dragged Lucy all the way to the dining hall for morning tea, where Arthur, Theodore, and Charlotte had been waiting for some time.“My dear, our little princess calls me 'Mom' now!”Juliana could not wait to share this news with Arthur, so she rushed into his arms and told him right away.“Really?”Arthur was pleasantly surprised. No wonder Juliana never left the princess’ room last night.The others looked at Lucy, dressed in the clothes of Charleston’s royal family.With her fair skin, rosy complexion, and unparalleled beauty, Lucy looked even more elegant in the dress that was adorned with fine gold and white sequins. She looked like a true princess.Arthur could not help but feel a little envious of Juliana.He looked at Lucy expectantly, and to his surprise, Lucy did not let him down as she called out, “Dad.”“Ah!” Arthur burst into tears after hearing her call him that.Then, Lucy turned to greet Theodore and Charlotte.“Hello, my siblings." Theodore smiled a
”Our Princess Charlotte is such a good girl. Don’t worry, in my heart, you’re equally as important as Velda,” Juliana said lovingly.Lucy nodded in agreement, not sensing anything amiss.Charlotte maintained a meek demeanor, but she was cursing inwardly, ‘What do you mean equal? It’s all fake, a lie. Mom's heart is clearly biased now. How could Lucy be on the same level as me when I’ve been raised by the royal family for over two decades? "Yet, they say they’re not biased. Damn all of them!’After breakfast, they started discussing state affairs.Being new to all of this, Lucy quietly listened without interjecting.She was somewhat surprised to learn that Charleston was different from other nations as the king and queen were personally involved in commerce.Speaking of commerce, Lucy could not help but think of Matthew.Despite not remembering their past memories together, she always found herself thinking of him.He said that he was coming to Charleston, but could he even en
"I was wondering if we could wait a bit before announcing it to the people?”Lucy smiled and voiced her thoughts. Upon hearing that, Arthur and Juliana looked at her with great compassion.“No, my poor child, you’ve suffered enough. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”Juliana embraced Lucy tightly. She could not imagine how much suffering Lucy had gone through.“Silly girl, your parents are the king and queen, and you’re in the palace. No one can harm you here,” Juliana said.“Yes, so don’t worry. Just focus on preparing for the coronation ceremony.”Arthur and Juliana reassured Lucy lovingly, relieving her of any worries.With that, they decided to make the announcement to the citizens, making Lucy feel at a loss.Although she was deeply touched by the affection and support she received, she could not help but feel concerned about the assassins.Even Matthew and Cillian had to be cautious around them, but Arthur and Juliana seemed unconcerned. Was this the power of a suprem
What could bring this young CEO for a visit this early in the morning?While Arthur was wondering that, his little princess darted into the arms of the young CEO.“Matt!” Lucy exclaimed, unable to explain her desire to cling to him as soon as she saw him.“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lulu.”Matthew smiled and ruffled Lucy’s hair affectionately. The intimacy between them left the crowd stunned.W-What was going on here?“Velda, d-do you know Mr. Leon?”Juliana asked even though the answer was pretty evident.Then, Lucy turned to everyone with embarrassment and confessed, “Mom, Dad, I’m… actually married, and this is my husband, Matthew Leon.”Hearing the way Lucy addressed them, Matthew respectfully greeted Arthur and Juliana as well.“Hello, Mom and Dad.”Arthur and Juliana no longer needed to question Matthew’s purpose for visiting. Their little princess was married, and to Matthew, no less.Well…Arthur and Juliana could not shake off the feeling that their precious tre
"Matthew, have you talked to Cillian? How is he doing? He must be so worried.”Lucy looked at Matthew. Although Matthew knew that his wife did not have any romantic feelings for Cillian, she always brought him up. He could not help but feel jealous.“Of course, I told him, so don’t worry.”His original intention was to not tell Cillian, but who knew that he would see that man as soon as he touched down in Charleston?Cillian was tugging at him, urgently asking him for help to look for Lucy. After just a few hours of not seeing her, Cillian’s eyes were already all bloodshot.Matthew did not want Lucy to find out that he had kept it from Cillian once her phone was done charging, so he told him the truth.At that moment, Cillian should be in the guest house cursing Matthew for acting in bad faith.They had agreed to visit Lucy together, but Matthew knew that Cillian could not enter the palace alone. While Cillian was sleeping, Matthew went to see Lucy on his own.“Why do you keep
Theodore chimed in, “Yes, Charlotte is right. Since Lulu likes flowers so much, I’m sure she’ll enjoy the garden.”Moved by their words, Lucy expressed her anticipation by saying, “If both of you say so, then Matthew and I must go take a look.”She held Matthew’s hand as they followed closely behind. Soon, they arrived at the garden.As expected, it was a sight to behold. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers, which lifted one’s spirits.Butterflies were fluttering gracefully in the air, captivating Lucy’s heart.Almost immediately, she let go of Matthew’s hand and ran onto the flower-lined path to chase after the butterflies.It was so beautiful! No words could describe the scene before her.“Matthew, look at me!”Lucy waved excitedly at Matthew, who nodded smilingly while watching his dear wife dance among the flowers with the butterflies.This might be the happiest Lucy had been since losing her memory, so he could not interrupt.Theodore and Charlotte sud
As Gabriella examined the luxurious clothes, bags, shoes, and pants, she could not help but feel that Lucy was completely unappreciative of such treasures. She failed to utilize them to enhance her appearance! They spent quite a while going through the various garments and accessories, yet there were still items they had not finished checking out.Lucy gave an awkward smile, acknowledging her own laziness. After a long search, Gabriella finally found a piece that caught her eye. As she checked the tag, she was surprised to find that the dress was designed by a renowned French designer. It featured a V-neck, with simple yet elegant sleeves that revealed a hint of Lucy's arms, while the skirt was a refined and tailored fit.Gabriella held up the dress against Lucy, murmuring to herself, “Hmm, this one’s nice! You should try it on!” Even though she spoke to Lucy in a tone reminiscent of an older sister, she still maintained her authority as a mother-in-law. It made her words both
Since the previous incident, Lucy had become increasingly attentive to her children. She watched over them at nearly every moment. She feared that Charlotte might seize any chance to harm the children, so she remained vigilant and meticulous, avoiding any lapses. In her eyes, Matthew Leon and the children represented her entire world, and she could not afford even the slightest mishap.One day, Gabriella Sharpe visited their home. She arrived as lively as ever, wearing impeccably applied makeup that included an expensive shade of lipstick. Her appearance radiated the elegance of a woman of high social standing, making her stand out among the people on the street.Lucy welcomed Gabriella warmly, treating her with utmost respect. It created an atmosphere of family harmony. Gabriella settled into a chair, savoring the fruit that Lucy offered her. She held Johnny closely, reluctant to part with him. She showered him with compliments and laughter."Mom, you seem to be in a great mood l
Matthew noticed Lucy’s absent-mindedness and asked gently, "Lulu, what’s on your mind?"“Oh, nothing… I just think what happened to Charlotte is so sudden,” Lucy replied.“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. She was always trying to harm you. Her fate is something she brought upon herself.” Matthew patted her head comfortingly.However, Lucy found it suspicious. Although the news reported Charlotte’s assassination and that the monastery had burned down to ashes, it did not mention her body. That kind of crucial detail would not have been overlooked by the media.Matthew had also considered this possibility, but he had kept it to himself to avoid alarming Lucy. Charlotte had been sent to the monastery because of him and Lucy, and she had to harbor a deep hatred for them. If she managed to orchestrate her own escape, what if she was now seeking help from Spades to target Lucy? That would be dangerous.“Lulu, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the ch
With nothing left to hold onto, Charlotte walked down the empty streets, her heart heavy with despair. She wore a black veil that covered her completely, revealing only her eyes. She even had on dark sunglasses. She dared not walk in the open or be seen, nor did she dare expose Juliana’s crimes to the world.She used to be a princess. Everything she had done, every privilege and indulgence, was backed by Arthur and Juliana’s love and permission. Now that her supporters had betrayed her, what right did she have to be reckless or demand anything? Surviving itself was a luxury. How could she even think of acting willfully?As she wandered in anguish, Charlotte found herself by the river. She remembered coming here with Arthur and Juliana when she was a child, laughing and walking along the bank. Now, each memory felt painfully ironic, and every kiss from Juliana seemed sickening. How could her world be so false? How could even the people she trusted most turn against her?Charlotte cou
Charlotte continued to hide within the castle, unwilling to leave and equally unwilling to let anyone know she was alive—unless they promised never to send her back to the monastery. However, she doubted that would happen, so she kept to the shadows. After all, the castle had plenty of food. It was far better than anything at the monastery.One night, Charlotte quietly slipped into Arthur and Juliana's bedroom. To her surprise, Arthur was not there, and only Juliana was present. 'Dad must be too upset to sleep,' Charlotte thought. She knew him well—whenever he was troubled, he would retreat to the study rather than go to bed.As she watched her beloved mother, a tiny bit of her resolve wavered. Juliana looked utterly exhausted, as if she had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. Charlotte had a sudden urge to go in and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible. Charlotte realized that seeing someone through a wall of separation was the most painful thing of all.Just as
The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on Charlotte was sensationalized across all media outlets. The internet was flooded with headlines about her close brush with death, sparking worldwide shock. No one could believe that Charlotte, notorious for her arrogance and harsh treatment of offenders, could have been targeted like this. Many who resented her strict, often cruel ways were both thrilled and stunned by the news. The royal family immediately tightened security at the monastery, dispatching a large police force to investigate what had happened. The monastery became a focal point of public intrigue.“What? That's impossible! How could there be no trace?” Juliana exclaimed in disbelief. Standing before her was the chief forensic investigator.“Yes, Your Majesty, there's no sign of Princess Charlotte’s remains,” the investigator confirmed firmly.“Fine, I understand. Leave me, and keep me informed if anything changes,” Juliana replied, pressing her fingers to her
As the footsteps came closer, Charlotte held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared—it was clear they were targeting her. She watched as the figure approached the bed, moving so quietly it was as if they made no sound at all. What could they possibly be planning? Surely, the headmistress would not go this far?The figure drew closer to the bed, bundled up the pillows and blankets, and then doused something over them. Charlotte could smell it—it was gasoline! Was the headmistress planning to kill her to silence her? She froze, unable to move. The shadow struck a match and dropped it onto the bed. In an instant, flames surged up from the blankets.In the fire’s glow, Charlotte could make out that it was not the headmistress but a man. After setting the fire, he quickly slipped away without making a single sound. Charlotte crept out while stifling a cough, afraid he might hear and return. The flames grew quickly, engulfing the bed and spreading t
Over the past year or so, Charlotte had gradually come to understand that the world was not just about picturesque landscapes and lavish feasts. In the shadows, beyond her sight, lay a world full of schemes and deception. Despite her ongoing attempts to plot against Lucy Quinn, she had not noticed this aspect at all until she arrived at the monastery. Here, she realized how dark human nature could truly be.The women at the monastery constantly criticized and belittled her, while the headmistress was corrupt, using her position for personal vendettas. She was also driven by greed for wealth and status. All Charlotte wanted was to escape this dreadful place and return to her castle. She wanted to go back to her plush, comfortable bed. There, she led a life surrounded by maids tending to her every need.Thinking of this, she remembered Lucy and envisioned her seated in her rightful place, basking in the affection of Arthur and Juliana. She could see Lucy's haughty expression starin
In a moment of heat, Charlotte blurted everything out. Joan was dumbfounded! Was this really Charlotte? She usually did not talk this much, did she? It was not just Joan who was shocked; the headmistress across from Charlotte was equally taken aback. Charlotte was usually so obedient. How had her tongue turned so venomous today? The headmistress was left speechless as every word Charlotte said was so reasonable that no one could argue against it, and it even warranted some compliments! Although Charlotte was confronting the headmistress, each of her statements felt like a plea for justice.Charlotte was not done yet and continued, “Since you know I’m a princess, you should give me some consideration. Yet, in reality, I’m the one giving you all the consideration. Is that reasonable?” Charlotte’s arguments were layered and logical, her thoughts clear. It left the headmistress in a muddle while Joan looked on with envy! The headmistress glanced at Charlotte, feeling quite displease